Jewison's lack of interest in developing anything other than his rather debatable ideological point relegates the film to the realm of moderately competent TV drama.
A Soldier's Story
Alone, far from home, and far from justice, he has three days to learn the truth about a murder... and the truth is a story you won't forget.
1984 · 1h 41m · PG
Crime, Drama, Mystery
Directed by
Norman Jewison
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A Soldier's Story
Overview
In a rural town in Louisiana, a black Master Sergeant is found shot to death just outside the local Army Base. Military lawyer, Captain Davenport—also a black man—is sent from Washington to conduct an investigation. Facing an uncooperative chain of command and fearful black troops, Davenport must battle with deceit and prejudice in order to find out exactly who really did kill the Master Sergeant.
Director and cast
- Norman Jewison Director
- Howard Rollins as Captain Davenport
- Adolph Caesar as Sergeant Waters
- Art Evans as Private Wilkie
- Robert Townsend as Corporal Ellis
- Denzel Washington as Private First Class Peterson
- David Alan Grier as Corporal Cobb
- David Harris as Private Smalls
- Dennis Lipscomb as Captain Taylor
- Patti LaBelle as Big Mary
- Wings Hauser as Lieutenant Byrd
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
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